V More bins for the city News
by WILLIAM KOJAH ANTHONY
PERSONS IN KINGSTOWN have no excuse for throwing garbage on the streets. This, after thirty-four collection bins were placed at 17 locations in the capital. The number will increase as it becomes necessary. The bins are placed in pairs, encouraging the practice of separating litter keeping with the trend of recycling which has become not just a fashion, but a money earner. The placement of the bins is a partnership between the Solid Waste Management Unit of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) and All Island Recycling Inc. The venture coincides with this country’s 34th anniversary of Independence. Mary Jocelyn, All Island Recycling Inc. manager, expressed delight with the new move. She recounted her company’s role in the initiative in keeping this country clean with a project which involved 18 schools in Kingstown. Those institutions
were encouraged to join the campaign to clean up the environment in a competition which brought some money to the schools. Receptacles were placed at the schools and children were asked to put in plastic bottles and cans. According to Jocelyn, 400,000 bottles and 300,000 cans were collected. The school with the most packages earned $1500, with $1000 going to the second place and $500 to the third. All Island Recycling Inc. paid for the bottles and cans collected. Jocelyn was happy with her company’s drive to keep this country healthy, and outlined that the measure will resume today, November 1. Garth Saunders, CWSA’s General Manager, was happy that his organisation was able to support the Public Health Department and All Island in efforts to keep the country clean. Saunders considered the move as complementing the effort aimed at strengthening the sustainable waste management approach,
and referred to the wood chips endeavour, and recycling of scrap metal as examples. Gregg Francois, Collections Superintendent in the Solid Waste Management Unit, urged persons not to abuse the bins. He also warned citizens not to make the location of the bins a dumping site. François acknowledged that with any new venture, there will be “teething problems.” He is, however, expecting members from the Town Board and the Police and indeed the public, to ensure that persons comply with the proper use of the bins. Todd Lewis, supervisor of the Vector Control Unit expressed pride with the project and noted that “small strides” were being made in the fight against environmental degradation. Lewis also pointed to the benefits of recycling. The bins, painted in national colours, endorse the idea of garbage collection as an expression of national pride.
The bins are attractively decorated so as to draw attention. Pictured at this display at the CWSA headquarters are (L-R): Joan Ryan, Garth Saunders, Todd Lewis, Gregg Francois and Mary Jocelyn.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2013. 17.